The Elings Park Foundation is taking over the responsibility of maintaining the popular six lighted Las Positas tennis courts from the City of Santa Barbara.
In a 3:30 p.m. ceremony on Friday, Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider will lob a tennis ball across one of court nets to symbolize the transfer of responsibility to the non-profit Elings Park Foundation.
Mayor Schneider and Elings Park officials will speak at the official opening of the courts, with a variety of contests, prizes and awards planned for tennis players young and old.
The City of Santa Barbara has maintained the courts for the past 30 years. The facility hosts youth and adult lessons, summer tennis camps, open courts usage, and a number of tournaments.
The courts, built in 1977, were one of the first recreational amenities at what is now Elings Park.
Established in 1980, Elings Park is a 230-acre recreational complex that serves more than 219,000 people each year. It is administered by the Elings Park Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that operates on contributions from members of the community.
Helene probably wont be able to make the lob over the net.